The tea was bitter!

But when swallowed, it was quite sweet.

It was definitely comparable to the tea from Jinjiang!

Muruo looked around the room and discovered…

“Eh?” He suddenly pointed at a large vase and said strangely, “I remember when I came last time, there was a treasure orchid tree here. Why has it been replaced with such a tacky vase now?”

That treasure orchid tree had bloomed so brilliantly when placed in the room, full of life and vigor. Why had it been replaced?

Jing Xian sighed. “That treasure orchid tree was damaged by insects a few days ago, so I threw it out. But the space was too empty, so I placed a vase there.”

“But treasure orchid trees don’t attract insects.”

“Oh? Then… perhaps it was for some other reason. I’m not quite sure.” Jing Xian took a sip of tea.

Muruo’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Which Ji Yunshu happened to see!

Jing Xian suddenly asked, “However, what brings Lord Ji here today?”

This…

She couldn’t answer.

It was Muruo who had brought her here.

Before she could speak, Muruo answered for her. “It’s like this—Lord Ji heard that you’ve been recuperating in the palace all along, so she said she wanted to come see you.”

“I see!” Jing Xian said. “Lord Ji is so thoughtful. However, I heard that Lord Ji has been busy with the Linjing Case during this time. I wonder how the case is progressing now?”

Ji Yunshu replied, “This case has spanned fifteen years. There were dozens of skeletal remains from Duke Yuguo’s manor, but now only a few remain. I believe it won’t be long before everything is fully investigated.”

“That’s good.” Jing Xian’s tone was heavy as he continued. “Though I’m here in the depths of the palace, I’ve also heard some things about this case. When the great fire occurred at Duke Yuguo’s manor back then, I was only about ten years old. When it happened, I was truly quite saddened. I still remember that when I was a child, my mother consort wouldn’t allow me to eat sweets, but my imperial uncle, Duke Yuguo, would secretly bring them to me. He was extremely fond of me. The deepest impression I have was once when I wanted a shadow puppet figure. The palace didn’t have any, so my imperial uncle made one for me with his own hands. But some years ago, it was stored in a chest and got damaged by insects. Such a pity, such a pity…”

He seemed somewhat melancholy.

Ji Yunshu said nothing more.

Suddenly a gust of wind arose.

It made the window creak loudly!

She was closest to it, so she immediately stood up to close the window. Just as her hand grasped the iron clasp on the window, she saw several pigeons fly in from outside, landing on the ground. They puffed up their bodies, pacing back and forth, their little heads twisting and their little eyes darting about—extremely adorable.

It wasn’t unusual for there to be pigeons in the palace, but—

When her gaze fell upon one particular pigeon, she was greatly astonished.

That pigeon had a round black mark printed on its left plumage.

This pigeon?

Wasn’t this the very one she’d seen at the temple where they’d taken shelter from the rain on the way back to the capital? At that time, the pigeon had a small bamboo tube tied to its leg.

But why would a pigeon from the temple be here?

She turned her head and asked, “Are these pigeons raised by Your Highness?”

“I raised them when I was bored, but those little fellows don’t listen. They always fly off without a trace, and only come back when they’re hungry.”

“These are carrier pigeons?”

“Are they? I had Fu Lu buy them from some eunuchs. I don’t know if they’re carrier pigeons or not.” Jing Xian showed an expression of ignorance.

Ji Yunshu said nothing more.

She silently closed the window!

Returned to her original seat.

Took a sip of hot tea!

Muruo at her side spoke to Jing Xian. “Your illness now poses no serious problem. It’s been thoroughly eradicated, and your symptoms of weakness have also disappeared. I heard that a few days ago, several ministers at court recommended to the Emperor that you attend court.”

“Hm?” Jing Xian frowned. “Why didn’t I know about this? But why would those ministers suddenly have such an idea? I’ve been ill in the palace for years. Never mind attending court—I don’t even have court robes, let alone knowledge of court affairs. If asked, I’d probably know nothing at all.”

He was different from Jing Yi. In his eyes, one couldn’t see the slightest desire for power. Instead, he seemed indifferent to fame and fortune.

Muruo said, “I hope the Emperor approves it.”

“Whether he approves or not, it makes no difference to me.”

And so—

This topic was discontinued.

Afterward, the three exchanged pleasantries for a while.

Seeing that it was getting late, Muruo and Ji Yunshu took their leave.

But before leaving, Jing Xian had Fu Lu bring out two jugs of wine he’d brewed himself and gave them to Muruo.

Though he accepted them, just like last time, he gave the two jugs of wine to the two guards at the palace gate.

Those two guards were so delighted their mouths couldn’t close!

Inside the carriage on the way back.

Muruo kept a somber expression on his face.

Silent and wordless.

Ji Yunshu sat across from him and finally couldn’t help asking, “Speak. You took me to see the Virtuous Prince—it shouldn’t be as simple as just drinking tea, right?”

Indeed!

Muruo raised his eyelids and lifted the curtain to look outside a few times. When he withdrew his gaze, he let out a soft sigh.

Ji Yunshu’s fingers tapped lightly on her thigh a few times. Her chin lifted slightly as she said directly, “Does it have to do with the Virtuous Prince?”

Not a question! A certainty!

Muruo nodded. “That’s right.”

“Then just say it directly.”

“I want you to help him leave the palace.”

“Leave the palace?”

She was shocked!

Muruo’s brow furrowed as he said seriously, “Just now at Tongren Hall, I already said that now that the Virtuous Prince’s health is gradually improving, many ministers at court are recommending that he enter court. But the Emperor seems hesitant. After all, the Virtuous Prince has never interfered with court politics, and over these years, the Emperor hasn’t paid him any attention—hasn’t even inquired about him. He’s probably long forgotten he even has this son. Moreover, even if Jing Xian’s health has improved, the Emperor probably won’t allow him to leave the palace. You should know that the struggle between princes is a matter of your death or my survival. The Crown Prince and Prince Yi are lessons from the past. Because of factional strife, the Emperor has already painfully lost two sons. Naturally he fears the Virtuous Prince would also walk down a path of no return for the sake of power. Ask yourself—would he let him leave the palace to establish his own manor and become independent? He’ll probably keep him trapped in the palace for the rest of his life! But I once promised him that as long as his illness was cured, I would find a way to let him leave the palace. That’s also what he’s hoped for all these years. So only if the Emperor nods and allows him to enter court can he leave the palace.”

Eh?

“So your real meaning is that you want me to help the Virtuous Prince enter court?”

“This is the only way.”

“You know it’s impossible!”

“But you also saw that the Virtuous Prince has no heart for conflict. Even if he enters court, he won’t become a second Crown Prince or a second Prince Yi. He absolutely won’t become an object of contention with Jingrong!” Muruo said.

Ji Yunshu clenched her palms tightly and said seriously, “Muruo, I’ll tell you the truth. The Virtuous Prince may seem to have no interest in worldly conflicts, but… he’s not simple at all.”

Eh?

“Why?”

“Have you ever thought about why the court ministers would suddenly recommend a sick prince who has never attended court?”

“…”

“If I’m not mistaken, you should have a question in your heart, right?”

Eh!

Muruo was startled. His thoughts had actually been seen through by the woman before him.

It must be said, Ji Yunshu was very clever!

But—

“How did you know?”